Sept. 25, 2012 - According to the American Forest & Paper Association's August 2012 Printing-Writing Paper Report, total printing-writing paper shipments decreased 5 percent in August compared to August 2011. All four major printing-writing grades posted single-digit decreases compared to last August.

U.S. purchases of printing-writing papers also decreased, down 6 percent in August.

Total printing-writing paper inventory levels decreased 5 percent from last month, primarily due to double-digit decreases in mechanical-grade paper inventories.

Additional key findings include:

Shipments of coated free sheet papers decreased year-over-year, but August shipments reached the highest level since October 2011.

Inventory of coated mechanical papers also dropped and hit the lowest point since December 2007.

The complete report with detailed tables can be purchased by contacting Dina Menton (dina_menton@afandpa.org or 202-463-2710).

The American Forest & Paper Association (www.afandpa.org) is the national trade association of the forest products industry, representing pulp, paper, packaging and wood products manufacturers, and forest landowners.

The forest products industry accounts for approximately 5 percent of the total U.S. manufacturing GDP. Industry companies produce about $190 billion in products annually and employ nearly 900,000 men and women, exceeding employment levels in the automotive, chemicals and plastics industries. The industry meets a payroll of approximately $50 billion annually and is among the top 10 manufacturing sector employers in 47 states.